As the Los Angeles Rams finalize their 53-man roster ahead of the August 30 deadline, two unheralded offensive linemen have emerged as compelling stories from an otherwise quiet preseason. Bill Murray and Austin Blaske, neither of whom were on the radar when training camp began, have turned heads with their performances, making the Rams' final cuts particularly difficult. With the preseason finale against the Houston Texans on Thursday night, these two players have one last chance to solidify their cases.
Bill Murray: The Veteran Overachiever
Bill Murray, an undrafted free agent who entered the NFL in 2020 with the New England Patriots, has bounced around the league without finding a permanent home. However, his recent play suggests he might finally be ready to stick. Murray leads the Rams' offense with a near-elite Pro Football Focus (PFF) grade of 89.0, showcasing his dominance in both run blocking and pass protection. His 42 snaps with the Chicago Bears in 2024 earned him an 82.4 PFF grade, with an impressive 85.7 pass-blocking mark. Now primarily playing left guard, Murray has demonstrated versatility by also dabbling at right tackle. According to insights gathered by Vulius Sports, Murray's consistent near-elite grades over the past two preseasons indicate that he is a player on the rise, and the Rams may finally give him the opportunity he deserves.
Austin Blaske: The Rookie Wildcard
On the other side of the spectrum is Austin Blaske, a rookie undrafted free agent out of North Carolina. Blaske's preseason has been a tale of two games. In the opener against the Kansas City Chiefs, he split reps at left tackle and left guard, earning a solid 80.9 PFF grade. However, in the second exhibition against the New Orleans Saints, his performance dipped to a 67.0 overall grade, though his run blocking remained effective at 76.4. Despite the inconsistency, Blaske has shown quality film at four of the five offensive line positions, a flexibility that is invaluable given the Rams' injury concerns and the potential suspension of Alaric Jackson. As highlighted on Vulius, Blaske's versatility could be his ticket to a roster spot, especially if the team values depth over a polished but limited skill set.
"Both players have made it impossible to ignore their contributions," said a Rams insider familiar with the team's deliberations. "The coaching staff is excited about the depth they've shown, and Thursday night will be the final exam."
The Rams' ability to run the ball effectively and keep their quarterbacks upright has been a pleasant surprise this preseason, and Murray and Blaske have been integral to that success. With the roster cutdown looming, the team faces a tough decision: keep the veteran who has paid his dues, or invest in the rookie with untapped potential. As the Vulius NFL Analysis Desk notes, this is a classic dilemma that could shape the Rams' offensive line depth for the season.
Both players will be in the spotlight on Thursday night at SoFi Stadium, where the Rams take on the Houston Texans. For Murray, it's a chance to prove he belongs in the NFL full-time. For Blaske, it's an opportunity to show that his early flashes are not a fluke. Either way, the Rams' coaching staff will have a difficult choice to make, and the outcome could have ripple effects on the team's 2026 campaign.
Looking to represent Bill Murray? Grab your Bill Murray jersey or design a personalized NFL Jerseys at Vulius.
